Snap-on sunglasses having a tension-exerting assembly

Abstract

A new and improved snap-on sunglasses includes a first sunglass lens support assembly which supports a first lens frame portion. A first sunglass lens is supported by the first lens frame portion, and a first clamping arm assembly is supported by the first lens frame portion. A second sunglass lens support assembly supports a second lens frame portion. A second sunglass lens is supported by the second lens frame portion, and a second clamping arm assembly is supported by the second lens frame portion. The respective first and second clamping arm assemblies include respective clamping ends. A first variable length alignment assembly is connected between the first sunglass lens and the second sunglass lens, for maintaining the lenses in substantial co-linear alignment. A second variable length alignment assembly is connected between the first lens frame portion and the second lens frame portion, for maintaining the frame portions in substantial co-linear alignment. A tension-exerting assembly, which includes a spring, is connected between the first sunglass lens support assembly and the second sunglass lens support assembly. The tension-exerting assembly urges the first sunglass lens support assembly and the second sunglass lens support assembly toward each other, such that the first clamping arm assembly and the second clamping arm assembly clamp against the frame of the eyeglasses. A plurality of suction cups may be connected to the respective clamping arm assemblies. The effective lengths of the respective clamping arm assemblies are adjustable.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: 
     
       1. A new and improved snap-on sunglasses which serves as auxiliary sunglasses for eyeglasses having an eyeglass frame, said apparatus comprising: a first sunglass lens support assembly, said first sunglass lens support assembly being characterized by a first lens frame portion, a first sunglass lens supported by said first lens frame portion, and a first clamping arm assembly supported by said first lens frame portion, said first clamping arm assembly including a clamping end,   a second sunglass lens support assembly, said second sunglass lens support assembly being characterized by a second lens frame portion, a second sunglass lens supported by said second lens frame portion, and a second clamping arm assembly supported by said second lens frame portion, said second clamping arm assembly including a clamping end,   a first variable length alignment assembly, said first variable length alignment assembly being connected between said first sunglass lens and said second sunglass lens, for maintaining said first sunglass lens and said second sunglass lens in substantial co-linear alignment,   a second variable length alignment assembly, said second variable length alignment assembly being connected between said first lens frame portion and said second lens frame portion, for maintaining said first lens frame portion and said second lens frame portion in substantial co-linear alignment,   said first variable length alignment assembly defining a first longitudinal axis extending through said alignment assembly and said first and second lenses,   said second variable length alignment assembly defining a second longitudinal axis extending through portions of said first and second lens frame portions,   said first and second longitudinal axes being spaced from one another in a generally parallel manner, and   a tension-exerting assembly, said tension-exerting assembly being connected between said first sunglass lens support assembly and said second sunglass lens support assembly, wherein said tension-exerting assembly is adapted to urge said first sunglass lens support assembly and said second sunglass lens support assembly toward each other along either said first or said second longitudinal axis, such that said first clamping arm assembly and said second clamping arm assembly clamp against the frame of the eyeglasses.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said first variable length alignment assembly includes a first telescopic member connected to said first sunglass lens and a second telescopic member connected to said second sunglass lens, said first telescopic member and said second telescopic member being in telescopic connection with each other, such that said respective first telescopic member and said second telescopic member of said first variable length alignment assembly provide a variable length first alignment assembly for keeping said first sunglass lens and said second sunglass lens in co-linear alignment relative to said first longitudinal axis.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said second variable length alignment assembly includes a first telescopic member connected to said first lens frame portion and a second telescopic member connected to said second lens frame portion, said first telescopic member and said second telescopic member being in telescopic connection with each other, such that said first telescopic member and said second telescopic member provide a variable length second alignment assembly for keeping said first lens frame portion and said second lens frame portion in co-linear alignment relative to said second longitudinal axis.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said tension-exerting assembly includes a spring connected between said first sunglass lens and said second sunglass lens.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said first variable length alignment assembly includes a first telescopic member connected to said first lens frame portion and a second telescopic member connected to said second lens frame portion, said first telescopic member and said second telescopic member being in telescopic connection with each other, such that said first telescopic member and said second telescopic member provide a variable length second alignment assembly for keeping said first lens frame portion and said second lens frame portion in co-linear alignment,   said tension-exerting assembly includes a spring connected between said first sunglass lens and said second sunglass lens, and   said spring is contained within respective interior portions of said first telescopic member and said second telescopic member which serve as a variable length housing for said spring.